Russian-born Iouri Podlachikov could be called the foreign Shaun White. Winning two major European skate competitions in 2007, “iPod” has about as much prowess on the skateboard as he does on a snowboard.
But, like White, it is his skills on a snowboard that set iPod apart from the rest of his competition. Born in Moscow, iPod grew up in Davos, Switzerland. Riding in his backyard in 2007, iPod broke onto the snowboarding scene in a big way – winning the O’Neill Evolution and claiming second at the Burton European Open. Also landing on the podium at six of his first 16 World Cup events, Podlachikov went on to win the overall halfpipe title on the 2007-08 Snowboard World Cup circuit.
Representing both of his home countries at the Olympics, iPod rode for Russia at the 2006 Games, finishing a disappointing 37th. At the games in Vancouver in 2010, Podlachikov switched his allegiance, competing for Switzerland and narrowly missed the podium, closing out the competition in fourth place. In 2014, once again riding for Switzerland, Podlachikov won gold in halfpipe in his home country of Russia.
Add to the list a second-place showing at the 2010 X Games as well as the number two spot in the TTR Tour rankings, and it’s clear that iPod’s talents on a board – of any kind – will keep him in the running for years to come.